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Match Preview

Broncos v Cowboys: Reynolds returns; Laybutt back on deck

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The Cowboys are riding high at the top of the leaderboard after starting the season 3-0 but face a big test against a Broncos side looking to get back in the winner's circle on Good Friday.   

The only unbeaten team left in the NRL, the Cowboys look to have rediscovered the form that carried them to a preliminary final in 2022 but face arguably the biggest challenge yet against their Queensland rivals.

Brisbane, meanwhile, are back on home soil after a tough trip to Penrith but things don't look to get any easier with star fullback Reece Walsh likely to spend some time on the sideline after suffering a facial fracture in Thursday's grand final rematch. 

Recent history suggests the Broncos have got the wood over the Cowboys, winning both of their meetings last year but in front of a heaving Friday night crowd at the home of Queensland rugby league, this clash could be anyone's game.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Broncos v Cowboys

Team News

Broncos: No game day changes. Injured fullback Reece Walsh (facial fracture) is replaced by Tristan Sailor while skipper Adam Reynolds returns from a knee injury so Jock Madden makes way. Jaiyden Hunt comes into the back row for Brendan Piakura, who injured his ankle at training on Tuesday. Veteran Corey Oates comes onto the bench for his first NRL game since Round 27 last year. Benjamin Te Kura is 18th man.

Cowboys: No late changes for Todd Payten. Centre Zac Laybutt returns after being a late withdrawal last week with an ankle injury in the only change to the squad that downed the Dragons so convincingly. Tom Chester reverts to 18th man. Semi Valemei, Emarly Bitungane and Jake Clifford dropped from the extended bench in the 24-hour update.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tristan Sailor
    Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott  Drinkwater 
  • Winger for Broncos is number 2 Jesse Arthars
    Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
  • Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
    Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
  • Centre for Broncos is number 4 Selwyn Cobbo
    Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Zac Laybutt
  • Winger for Broncos is number 5 Deine Mariner
    Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
  • Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
    Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
  • Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds
    Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend

Forwards

  • Prop for Broncos is number 8 Corey Jensen
    Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
  • Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters
    Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
  • Prop for Broncos is number 10 Fletcher Baker
    Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Jaiyden Hunt
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Kulikefu  Finefeuiaki
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
  • Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
    Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Interchange

  • Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Tyson Smoothy
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Xavier Willison
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Kobe Hetherington
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Sam McIntyre
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Corey Oates
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Jack Gosiewski

Reserves

  • Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Benjamin Te Kura
    Replacement for Cowboys is number 19 Thomas Mikaele

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Stat Attack 

  • The Broncos won home and away games against the Cowboys in 2023.
  • The Cowboys are aiming for their first 4-0 start to a season since 2007.
  • Broncos centre Selwyn Cobbo has scored 20 tries in his past 19 games at Suncorp Stadium.
  • Cowboys hooker Reece Robson will play his 100th NRL game.
  • Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam scored three tries in two games against the Cowboys in 2023.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.